Here are the other most anticipated Kannada releases of 2026, besides the star-led biggies

Most of Kannada cinema’s stars, excluding Darshan Thoogudeepa, Rakshit Shetty and Rishab Shetty, will have releases in 2026, which is good for the industry, but filling the gaps between those big-ticket movies are the mid-and low-budget projects that will, hopefully, keep Sandalwood afloat. 2025 was a massive disappointment for the industry, with only Kantara Chapter 1 and Su From So registering organic numbers, while films like Ekka, Choo Mantar, Yuddhakaanda Chapter 2, etc., made some noise, but not much money.

2026 is the year of Yash’s Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups, no doubt. But there are a bunch of seemingly interesting projects that will be in theatres this year, featuring the likes of Ganesh, Raj B Shetty, Prajwal Devaraj, Ramesh Aravind, Darling Krishna Pramod, Vinay Rajkumar, Dheeren Ramkumar, etc.

Raj and Darling Krishna have confirmed releases in the first quarter of the year. Raj kicks off 2026 as the antagonist in Duniya Vijay’s Landlord, which he follows up with Rakkasapuradhol in which he is the main lead on February 6. Raj will also be seen in Prajwal Devaraj’s Karavalli, which is yet to get a release date, but will be a 2026 film. As for Prajwal, he will have Mafia also in theatres this year, which is directed by Lohith M, who rose to fame with Mummy Save Me and Devaki.

Krishna’s third instalment of Love Mocktail will be in theatres on April 10. The actor has not had great luck with films outside of the franchise in recent times, except Kausalya Supraja Rama. Considering that both Love Mocktail and Love Mocktail 2 did well in theatres, hopes are for the third to follow suit, but the reception to news about the film has not got great response from netizens who think it is past its expiration date. Besides Love Mocktail 3, Krishna’s also got the R Chandru production Father ready for release.

Also read: Big-ticket Kannada films to look forward to in 2026: From Landlord, Toxic to KD The Devil and more 

Golden Star Ganesh, did not have a film in 2025, following the success of the romantic comedy Krishnam Pranaya Sakhi. He’s been working on 3 films – Yours Sincerely Raam, Pinaka and an untitled project with Love in Mandya director Arasu Anthare. Yours Sincerely Raam is being directed by AR Vikhyath, who’d earlier produced Pushpaka Vimana, Monsoon Raaga, etc. It also stars Ramesh Aravind, who also has multiple releases likely this year. Ramesh is in Dhruva’s KD The Devil, and headlines Shivaji Surathkal maker Akash Srivatsa’s next, Daiji.

Vinay Rajkumar’s films may not be money spinners, but the actor’s varied choice of scripts has often excited netizens. This year, the actor will be seen in Duniya Vijay’s next directorial City Lights, as well his long-delayed film Gramayana, which is now back on track. His brother Yuva, meanwhile, is yet to announce a new film, after the disappointment of Ekka.

Daali Dhananjaya has multiple projects in his kitty, both as actor and producer, with his production venture JC the University a likely February release. Dhananjaya’s next solo-hero acting gig in theatres is expected to be Anna From Mexico, what with Uttarakaanda stalled and no news about if and when it will resume. He is also a part of Hemanth M Rao’s 666 Operation Dream Theatre with Shivarajkumar.

Other interesting films that will be in theatres this year include Dheeren Ramkumar’s Pabbar, Sathish Ninasam’s The Rise of Ashoka and Ayogya 2, Vinnod Prabhakar’s Balaramana Dinagalu, Pramod’s Halka Don, Vikram Ravichandran’s Mudhol, among others. Srii Murali has kickstarted two films, Ugrayudha and Paraak, but whether or not at least one makes it to theatres this year remains to be seen.

Toxic FAQs

Q. Who is the director of Toxic A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups?

A. Toxic A Fairy Tale for Adults has been directed by Moothon maker Geetu Mohandas in what is her Kannada debut. She has co-written the film with leading man Yash.

Q. Where to watch Toxic A Fairy Tale for Grown Ups?

A. Toxic will be in theatres on March 19, 2026. A Kannada original film, it will have dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and English as well.